Obituary: Virginia G. Koch

Jan. 9, 1923 - Sept. 8, 2008

Jan. 9, 1923 - Sept. 8, 2008

September 10, 2008

SOUTH BEND - Today we lost our angel on earth to be our angel in heaven. Our beloved Virginia G. Koch (nee Glon) went to be with the God she so believed in. There is an emptiness in our hearts, but her memory will be with us always. Virginia was one of nine children born to Hattie G. Glon (nee Andrysiak) and Henry A. Glon. Preceding her in death were her parents, Hattie and Henry; her brothers, Theodore, Joseph, Frank, Casmier and Ben; sisters, Irene Szynski, Adeline Siders and Esther Heintzelman; and a nephew, Dean Heintzelman. Virginia worked at Bendix for 35 years before retiring. Virginia married the love of her life, Harold L. Koch, in September 1950. They had their own business, Lydick Tavern, for several years. They loved dancing and loved to travel and have been to almost all the states. Virginia was always busy. She did handwork, knit, crochet, needlepoint and ceramics. She took various classes, loved to read, garden and spend time with family. She was a Notre Dame fan and was able to see Notre Dame beat San Diego State. Virginia also liked to gamble. She loved to go to the boat, and if she won it was a great day, and if she lost, oh well, we had fun anyway. Her loving husband, Harold, survives along with nieces, Darlene Hite, Kathleen (Joe) Cornelis and Michaelene "Mickey" Lane; and a nephew, Joseph (Karen) Heintzelman. Darlene's children, Tim Austin of Texas, Christine Ann (David) Pilarski of Waunakee, WI, and Neal Patrick of Mishawaka; Kathleen's children, Melanie (Jim) Praklet of Edwardsburg, MI, and Jon (Gretchen) Cornelis of Granger, IN; Joseph's children, Leisa Heintzelman and Amy (Jeffrey) Dee of South Bend, Joel and Laura (Tony) D'Amico of Chicago, IL. Christine Ann's children, Adam, Alyssa, Amanda and Alex of Waunakee. Melanie's children, Justin, Rebekah, Moriah and Abigal Praklet of Edwardsburg, MI; Jon's children, Kaitlynn, Christian and Jeremiah Cornelis of Granger, IN; Joseph's children, Leisa Heintzelman and Amy (Jeffrey) Dee of South Bend, Joel Heintzelman and Laura (Tony) D'Amico of Chicago, IL; and Amy's son, Tate Heintzelman of Granger. Virginia was the guardian of her niece, Michaelene "Mickey" (Gerry) Lane. Mickey's children, April Suzanne and Eric Andrew (Trish) Lane, came to know Virginia and Harold as Grandma and Grandpa, and great-grandparents to April's children, Alexandra Bianca and Madeleine Louisa; and Eric's children, Jack Christian, Charles Andrew and Jensen Alexander Lane. Virginia was always there for us. Always there to listen, talk, to just hold a hand, or give a hug letting us know how much she loved us. She had a wicked sense of humor and almost never stopped moving. She was up before dawn, baked cookies, her famous "Robert Redford" cake, and her specialties of barbecued ribs and party potatoes. She had all her chores done before most people were even awake. Her Christmas dinners were something we looked forward to all year. Harold cared lovingly for Virginia during her illness and was a wonderful caregiver. He loved her dearly and was there for her tending to all her needs, with love, respect and dignity. We would like to thank The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, for the wonderful care they gave Virginia and our family. Visitation for Virginia will be held from 4 to 8 PM Thursday, September 11, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM Friday in St. John the Baptist Church, with entombment to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, South Bend. Memorial contributions may be made to The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637; or to Hello Gorgeous of Hope, 1130 Altgeld St., South Bend, IN 46614. To send online condolences, please visit www.kaniewski.com.